Tree clearing to start on Monday on Markley Street in Norristown

NORRISTOWN — Preliminary work is scheduled to start Monday, Feb. 11, on the first of two construction contracts to improve Markley Street from just south of Main Street to Johnson Highway in Norristown.

Starting on Feb. 11 and lasting for approximately two weeks, crews will work weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to remove trees from alongside Markley Street in advance of the relocation of utility poles. This operation may result in intermittent lane closures and traffic stoppages between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Short-term parking restrictions will be in effect during this operation.

This initial $20.8 million project will rebuild and improve 1.1 miles of Markley Street between Elm Street and Johnson Highway, and a half-mile stretch of Johnson Highway between Markley Street and DeKalb Street. The plan includes the rehabilitation of the nearby Main Street stone arch bridge over Stony Creek. Construction is scheduled to finish in fall 2016.

The improvements to be made on Markley Street consist of rebuilding the roadway to provide one lane in each direction plus a center lane for left turns; adding recessed parking bays in residential areas; installing trees and decorative pedestrian street lights to enhance the corridor; building an off-street parking lot at the corner of Harding Boulevard and Markley Street; upgrading traffic signals; installing new curb ramps; and adding Intelligent Transportation System components.

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A second project to improve Markley Street from Main Street to Elm Street is presently in engineering design. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2015.

PennDOT’s contractor will rebuild Markley Street in short stretches to maximize on-street parking in non-work zones. Pedestrian access also will be maintained on at least one side of Markley Street at all times.

Following the completion of this initial operation and the relocation of utility poles, PennDOT’s contractor plans to begin the first phase of construction between Elm Street and Harding Boulevard in March.

J.D. Eckman of Atglen, Chester County, is the general contractor on the $20,825,701 contract that is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds.

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to www.511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major highways before heading out.